2. Decide you'll figure out the budget along the wayChristopher Peacock, of the eponymous kitchen design firm, estimates this estimated breakdown: 60% for cabinetry, 25% for appliances, and 15% for countertops. And when it comes to a payment schedule, he recommends a respectable down payment, another payment as things are completed, and, the balance when the job is done. "The proportion of the payments can be flexible — but work the schedule out in advance," he advises.

3. Go with the cheapest bid for the job
Instead, Fanuka advices starting with a high-end contractor, and asking for a detailed proposal, which you can then copy — leaving out the costs — and send to additional contractors to fill out. And remember: "The lowest bid isn't usually the best," says Fanuka.

4. Lose your temper
When you meet your contractor for the first time — a "first date," as Stephen Fanuka refers to it — keep your cool and stay polite. It sounds like basic advice from mom, but your attitude can affect not only their decision to work with you or not, but their own attitude going into the project.

5. Assume your contractor is licensed
"Ask them to show you the license," says Fanuka. "Make sure they carry liability insurance, so if one of their guys falls off a ladder and breaks his neck, you're not sued."

6. Assume it'll be over quickly
A kitchen renovation should take six to nine months, according to Peacock.

7. Stay closed off to your crew — and their ideas
"Make me feel like a partner, not an employee," says pro painter Joe Nicoletti. "Sure, I want to make money, but I also want to do good work, feel a sense of accomplishment and pride and, yeah, even have some fun along the way." And remember, the little things, like letting the crew use your bathroom, can go a long way.

8. Rely on contractor-supplied references
"Anybody can come up with a good reference," says Peacock. Instead, search for customer praise and complaints online to find out the true story ahead of time.

9. Settle for a verbal contract
Every job should have a signed contract specifying what you've agreed to. It helps avoid misunderstandings, disappointments, and unrealistic expectations.

10. Plan a reno for a fantasy version of you
Just because you're going to have a new kitchen or bathroom doesn't mean you'll morph into a hyper-organized version of yourself. "We have to design for real life, not fantasy," says Peacock. "We're creatures of habit, and a renovation isn't going to alter those habits."